IDENTICAL TWIN GIVES BROTHER HIS KIDNEY

Grant Waller’s life has been a series of Rady Children’s Hospital stays.

Born 24 years ago with five missing vertebrae, a dysfunctional esophagus, a hole in his heart, numerous gastrointestinal defects and other health issues, the Encinitas native has endured about 40 surgeries on his path to a somewhat normal life.

Next week, Grant, on dialysis since July, will have yet another operation — a kidney transplant at UC San Francisco Medical Center. This time, however, he holds an ace. Unlike most organ recipients, Grant isn’t expected to need a lifelong regimen of anti-rejection drugs. His donor is his identical twin, Griffin, a conditioning coach in Florida.

Grant’s medical Odyssey is spelled out on the Give Forward website (see
bit.ly/10R82Np), which reaches out to touch the hearts of generous donors via compelling stories of broken bodies and courageous spirits.

Caring for their son has wiped out the savings and piled up bills for Grant’s parents, Caren and Kirk Waller, a teacher and counselor for the San Diego Unified School District. To help defray transplant costs, the family is hosting a fundraiser at 5 p.m. tonight at the downtown Voyeur club, 755 Fifth Ave.

Then they’re putting their lives on hold and moving to San Francisco for two months to help Grant through his initial recovery.

“What an incredible kid,” Kirk said of his son. Despite his health problems, Grant graduated from San Francisco State University last spring. “He’s a small guy, but he has a big heart.”

Street seen: A refrigerated truck on the I-5 bore no logo, but words on the back door left little doubt as to its cargo: “I only have ice for you” … Only in OB would you see “Tourist Rules” posted on a community bulletin board that warns of a $250 fine for smoking on the pier, then urges, “Please smoke, the city needs the money.” Another unwelcoming suggestion: “Walk barefoot, it saves us from having to pick up discarded fishhooks.”

Visiting VIP: Former first lady Laura Bush will be the keynote speaker at a Sept. 21 gala for Solutions for Change, a local nonprofit that helps families break the cycle of poverty. Previous guest speakers for its annual “An Evening to Remember” include former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and New York’s ex-Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Of note: Some 4th Avenue businesses are helping tornado victims by supporting Team Rubicon, ﻿military veterans who aid first responders. On Friday, Fluxx nightclub will donate part of its door charge and The Commons Bar will sell a special cocktail for the Oklahoma relief effort. Also raising funds: Gaijin Noodle + Sake House, La Puerta, Taste & Thirst and DiscoverSD.